NRA-L-000079 / 1835

Letter fragment from Félix Boucly to Eliza Boucly, October 1835

The surviving conclusion discusses shortening a visit, an earlier separation and concern about the mother's long daily solitude, followed by affectionate family greetings.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000079

NRA-L-000079 image 1 showing an unfolded address panel to Provins with circular postal marks and paper loss.
Image 1Address panel and postal evidence.
NRA-L-000079 image 2 showing a French manuscript letter with a signed closing and circular marks.
Image 2Letter text and signature.

Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Address panel and postal evidence

Original transcript

Mademoiselle
Eliza Boucly
chez Monsieur Dalomprey, notaire,
à Provins (Seine & Marne)

Notes

Postal marks:
[circular postmark, partial] PROVINS
[circular postmark, faded] OCT.
[circular postmark] (73) / [...] OCT.

Later annotations:
6/10/1835

Address panel and postal evidence

English translation

Mademoiselle
Eliza Boucly
c/o Monsieur Dalomprey, notary,
in Provins (Seine-et-Marne)

Notes

Postal marks:
[circular postmark, partial] PROVINS
[circular postmark, faded] OCT.
[circular postmark] (73) / [...] OCT.

Later annotations:
6/10/1835

Letter text and signature

Original transcript

abrégé ainsi de quelques jours. Mais Zoé
sentira bien & toi aussi que dans les circonstances,
il faut se résigner à une séparation plus prompte
J'avouerai que la solitude absolue de Maman
pendant la plus grande partie du jour me
parait triste et pesante. Elle n'en dit rien
parcequ'elle ne veut jamais qu'il soit question
de ce qui la regarde. Mais nous devons faire
ce qui lui convient, à elle, malgré elle : elle a
fait assez de fois le sacrifice aux convenances
d'autrui.
mille embrassements a vous de tout coeur
Félix Boucly

Letter text and signature

English translation

shortened thus by a few days. But Zoé
will feel well, and you too, that under the circumstances,
one must resign oneself to a more prompt separation.
I will confess that Mama's absolute solitude
during the greater part of the day seems to me
sad and heavy. She says nothing about it
because she never wants there to be any question
of what concerns her. But we must do
what suits her, for her, despite her: she has
sacrificed enough times to the convenience
of others.
A thousand kisses to you with all my heart
Félix Boucly

Discovery Terms

  • Family correspondence
  • Caregiving
  • Loneliness
  • Separation
  • Provins